What can I do to ensure a smooth adjustment period for the fish i do have

Ok so here we go
For MONTHS i have been researching having a salt water tank. I had a spare tank and someone i knew was getting rid of about 50 lbs of live rock. I was slowly saving up some cash here and there and I was going to do it right.... Then someone i know who works at a school was told... you need to get rid of your salt water tank by the end of the week (she is a science teacher) and turn it into a fresh water tank. To be honest no one at the school has a real clue besides her how to run a salt water tank and everytime she would try to fix it they would yell at her (I E setting up the sump) when asked what to do with the fish they told her we don't care (i.e. just get rid of them)
So last monday night when she told me I went out got salt power heads lights sand and set up the tank to start cycling (Yes i know not nearly enough time)
I had another friend who used to do aquarium work for a living give me 5 lbs of live rock and another 3 or four cups of grunge from the bottom of the tank to try to seed everything.
Had it running about 5 days ammonia was reading 0 after spiking briefly and my friend who had the fish told me that they told her to do it today.(friday) so she moved them to my tank... They did not look healthy at all. it was 1 3 stripped damsel one 4 strip 1 cardnal fish, one yellow tailed damsel and one bi color dotty back. I had thought that the dotty was DOA but when I took a net to remove him from the container so i can acclimate the other fish to the tank he moved so i figured give him a shot.... I drip acclimated them and then moved them in.
the yellow tail was acting wierd and the Dotty went under some rocks and laid on her side were she remained for 3 days
24 hours later levels were still good. the Dotty was still doing her best death impression, and the yellow tail really was dead. and the damsels and cardnal were starting to dart around the tank.
96 hours later (i e today) the Dotty is no longer laying on her side and the other fish are seeming to be more relaxed?
I have better power heads that were delivered today to my office and a protein skimmer in the back to help.
I want to get a sump going shortly but it is going to have to wait until May or June (Budget issues)
What can I do to ensure a smooth adjustment period for the fish i do have... and did i do anything wrong?

I have my koralias in my 125g hooked up to my controller which is also a wavemaker. I can't say I'm super impressed, the only thing I don't like is the clicking of the powerheads when they go on and off. I was able to make a wave in the tank with it but it just made my overflow gurgle. LOL

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__________________180g Reef - 60g Rimless Reef -90G FOWLR- 125g Malawi Cichlids- 40bREEF- 34g Fresh Planted-working on- 20L FOWLR- working on
I have a mix of many different saltwater fish amongst my tanks, but I love my Tangs most of all.